346 
SUMMARY OF CURRENT RESEARCHES RELATING TO 
of cattle and tlieir allies. Moniezia pianissimo, sp. n., M. Benedeni r 
31. Neumanni , 3T. expansa, 31. oblongiceps sp. n., 31. trigonophora sp. n., 
31. denticulata, 31. alba, Thysanura actinioides, and T. Giardi are de- 
scribed. The genus Stilesia proposed by Raillet for Tsenia globipunctata 
and T. centripunctata is accepted. 31oniezia nullicollis, Tsenia Vogti, 
T. crucigera, T. capreoli, and T. caprese are forms as to which further 
information is desirable. 
It is remarkable that the life-history of not one of these tapeworms 
is known ; for more than a year the authors have been making experi- 
ments, but have as yet only negative results to report. Experiments in 
feeding sheep directly with eggs have been without result, as have ex- 
periments in infecting various insects and earthworms. The authors are 
confident that cattle cannot become infected with tapeworms by swallow- 
ing their eggs. 
Cystic Worms of Bothriocephalus in German Fishes.* — Prof. M. 
Braun states that the larval stage of the Broad Tape- worm has been 
observed by him in Lota vulgaris, which is sold in quantities at Konigs- 
berg in the winter and spring ; they are particularly abundant in the 
pyloric appendages, and these, Schauinsland states, are, when slightly 
dried, used for the cure of pains in the stomach. Such a habit might 
well tend to human infection by this dangerous parasite. 
5. Incertse Sedis. 
Notes on Rotifers. f — Mr. F. R. Dixon-Nuttall gives an account of 
the male of Copeus yachyurus, and describes them as restless little 
fellows, very much like a young female in general outline. 
Mr. J. Hood describes J Floscularia cucullata sp. n., found in a marsh 
pool in Perthshire ; it is most remarkable for the shape and structure of 
the corona, the large dorsal lobe calling to mind a monk’s cowl, but the 
long sleeve-like processes of F. Hoodi are wanting. Three kinds of eggs 
were observed in the hyaline tubes which these animals inhabit. A 
male was seen and was found to have a prominent dorsal antenna, such 
as is known in the male of no other Floscule. 
Echinoderma. 
Experimental Embryology illustrated by Echinoderms.§ — Herr 
C. Herbst continues his investigation on the effects of lithium salts on 
the development of sea-urchin embryos. To 97*5 ccm. of sea- water he 
adds 2 * 5 ccm. of 3 • 7 per cent, lithium chloride solution, and the result 
is a strange modification of development. As yet he has not succeeded 
in rearing “ lithium larvae ” of other forms besides sea-urchins ( Sphser - 
echinus granularis and Echinus microtuberculatus ) ; he tried ova of Asterias 
glacialis and of Aseidians without result. 
Fertilized ova are placed in the sea-water, to which the lithium salt 
has been added. The first observed change is that the cells of the 
blastula-stage are more vacuolar than is normal. The blastula lasts 
* Centralbl. f. Bakteriol. u. Parasitenk., xiv. (1893) pp. 801-4. 
f Journ. Quek. Micr. Club, v. (1894) pp. 333 and 4 (1 pi.). 
X Tom. cit., pp. 335-7 (1 pi.). 
$ MT. Zool. Stat. Neapel, xi. (1893) pp. 136-220 (2 pis., 5 figs.). 
